Haryana Governor Shri Bandaru Dattatraya said that the message of Gita, which Lord Krishan gave to Arjuna 5158 years ago on the holy land of Dharmakshetra Kurukshetra, has been showing the path of knowledge and peace to humanity since then.
Dattatraya was speaking as the Chief Guest at the ‘Global Gita Paath’ programme during the ongoing International Gita Mahotsav atKurukshetra, Haryana. The programme had been jointly organized by the Kurukshetra Development Board (KDB) and Education Department.
Dattatraya said the Gita Jayanti is a unique and inspirational day. Every year the International Gita Festival is organized by the government on the holy land of Kurukshetra. Earlier this festival was celebrated only at the district level, but after 2014, this festival is being organized at the international level.
He said that efforts are being made continuously to take the teachings of the holy book Gita to the people of the whole world through the ‘Global Gita Paath’ programme. “The Gita is a source of inspiration for the youth. It tells them to follow the path of righteousness and virtues,” he said.
“In order to connect youth to the Gita, programmes like ‘Global Gita Paath’ have been started by the government. Only when the youth are cultured and educated, can we build a strong and vibrant nation. Every verse of the Gita spreads positive waves in the environment,” he said.
Union Minister for Tourism and Culture and DoNER Shri G Kishan Reddy said: “It is a privilege that on the auspicious occasion of Gita Jayanti, I have got an opportunity to visit the holy land of Dharmakshetra Kurukshetra.”
While congratulating the people of the state on behalf of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and the Central government, he said that the Gita Jayanti has assumed a global significance thanks to the efforts of Chief Minister Shri Manohar Lal, and this festival will touch newer heights of success under the guidance of Governor Shri Bandaru Dattatraya.
Kishan Reddy said that there are many similarities between Kurukshetra and Hyderabad. Goddess Mata is worshiped in Hyderabad, which is also worshiped in the village Amin of Kurukshetra. Lord Vishnu took birth on this earth as Vamana Avatar. This Vamana Avatar is also worshiped in South India. Today, on the completion of 75 years of the country’s independence, Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav is being celebrated across the country and Gita Jayanti Mahotsav has also been dedicated to this theme.
The Union Minister said that the development of ‘48 Kosh’ pilgrimage centres in Kurukshetra is being done by the state government. At Jyotisar Lord Shri Krishna gave the teachings of the Gita, which are so relevant today and will remain so in times to come. The world is also getting the message to act selflessly.
Kishan Reddy said the verses of Gita are being included in the curriculum by the Haryana government. The Gita is being taught in many universities of the world. He said the land of Kurukshetra is the land of great civilization and culture. It is a cultural heritage of the world. Today’s youth should follow the teachings of the Gita and take the country forward on the path of progress.
